Contents

Note about the photos: The high quality pictures by Helmi Flick are of purebred Manx at cat shows. They are known to be cats of this breed and some will be champions. The photos above are thumbnails – click on them for larger format photos and more on the breed.

Please note: there are a couple of photographs by amateur photographers of cats described as Manx. They are probably not purebred and may simply be cats with a short tail but people do tend to refer to tailless cats as Manx cats. They are here to help illustrate this article.

Introduction

Manx Cats are a cat breed that developed and evolved initially on a small island off the English Coast – The Isle of Man. The name in Manx (the language of the Isle of Man) is: Kayt Manninagh or Stubbin4. The exact origins of this breed are, in fact, unclear. I discuss the origins below. Despite being relatively rare it is one of the best known breeds outside the cat fancy perhaps because of its striking appearance and long history. It has been around a long time.

The exact genetics of this breed are not fully understood some would argue1. Similar mutations have occurred throughout the world. There are a number of colors that are acceptable by the associations (but some associations limit the spectrum2) and there are two coat lengths. The long haired Manx is called a Cymric in the USA. Although the name Cymric refers to the Welsh language the cat has no connection with Wales, UK.

Manx cats are thought to have originated before the 1700s. Although there are some extraordinary myths describing how this came about, the taillessness is caused by a dominant genetic mutation (the genetic symbol for the mutated gene is M). The mutated gene has a high degree of penetration. This accounts for the Founder Effect and the establishment of this breed from a small number of original cats. Several breeds have been created through spontaneous genetic mutation (e.g. American Curl, Dwarf cats and Sphynx, for example), so this is not unusual….

The above picture from 1903 of a Manx (left) and a Siamese (right) is interesting because it can be seen that they have similar body types, whereas today the Manx is considered “the absolute extreme of the cobby body”1 while the Modern Siamese has the most extreme of foreign type bodies. Today, then they are at the opposite ends of the body type spectrum as a result of selective breeding to make the breeds more outstanding in appearance. See cat body types for a description of these terms. The cat below, Manx Silverwing, a champion from a bygone era, also shows how the body shape has evolved in breeding:

…What is perhaps unusual is that the genetic mutation happened several centuries ago. Although this may simply be a question of when the cat demonstrating the mutation was discovered and when people became interested in the cat. The other mutations are fairly recent or at least have been noted/discovered fairly recently.

credit: weretable

The history of the cat is bound up with the Isle of Man (see the embedded map below for the location. The blue flag can be clicked for a photograph of the island). The mutation happened on a small island and the breed has developed on that island with limited interaction with other breeds.

It could be argued that this is a natural cat as they have had limited opportunities to intermingle with any other breed. However, the origins are not altogether clear. Although, the Isle of Man is small (33 miles by 13 miles, population 80,000), it was a center for smuggling and in the late 1700s it was described as a place to store contraband from various countries on Continental Europe (as it is now).

Perhaps then Manx cats were brought in on ships from the Continent? In any event the breed has a long history including recognition by the CFA since the 1920s. It is then a very well established cat breed but I am a little surprised when considering the health implications of this defective gene. Click on the following link to see how Manx cats relate to other cat breed in respect of a cat history time line. A point of interest is that the first pedigree cat club for native shorthaired cats, the Short Haired Cat Society and Manx Club was formed in 1901 and represented this breed. The club was in part set up to champion the British Shorthair cat that was at the time becoming less desirable than the Persians and Siamese cats. These were the early days of the cat fancy.

The maps below show where the Isle of Man is – midway between Northern Ireland and England. If you click on the blue place markers you will some information.

History/Myths

There is documentary evidence of the existence of tailless cats in Cornwall and Dorset in 1837. In 1909 the evidence suggests that this cat was called a Manx cat. Much like the Japanese Bobtail, there are numerous legends surrounding the Manx cat.

Date

Event

?

Myths about a cat losing its tail in Noah’s Ark door! And importation on ships from Japan (Japanese Bobtail – this is wrong as it carries a different genetic mutation).

1588

First Rumpy came in off a ship wrecked of Spanish Head at the time of the Spanish Armada.

1730

Research on the Manx language indicated the mutation occurred around this time.

1750

The tailless cat called “Stubbin”, an English word. The Manx language was used until 1750 indicating the cat arrived after 1750.

1845

A writer describes the Manx as a cross between a rabbit and a cat having some of the characteristics of a rabbit.

late 1800s?

Belief that amputation of a tail either naturally or purposefully (by docking) can result, in the cat who has had her tail docked, having tailless offspring.

As the taillessness is caused by a dominant gene mutation (M), if the Manx is out crossed with another breed say a domestic shorthair cat the result will be that at least half the litter carry the tailless gene. However, not all Manx cats are tailless. There is a range from fully tailed to without a tail (show quality). Indeed the some Manx cats have an indention where the tail should be. The range then is from a “negative tail” to a full tail. It is thought that the range of tails is due to the presence of modifying “polygenes” (multiple genes):

Manx cats are heterozygous for the gene (M/m). Where the cat is homozygous the gene is fatal (in the womb – “prenatal fatal”2) or if born the kitten has severe abnormalities1. Studies have indicated however that 24% of embryos that were the result of Manx to Manx breeding (homozygous) were reabsorbed in utero2

There are reports that at the age that the kittens start to eat solid food they begin to lose their health1.

If the cat is born a stumpy or longy the breeder will dock (amputate) the tail. This is ostensibly to prevent the possibility of the tail becoming arthritic and becoming painful later in the cat’s life. My thought (and this is only my thought) is that the tails are also being docked to allow the breeder to sell a cat that the public associate with the Manx, namely a tailless cat.

Photograph copyright Helmi Flick

What happens to the tailed Manx cats? They will look like “any other cat” more or less so will be less valuable to the breeder (this is disputed by Kay – see comment). The reason for docking is probably twofold – cosmetic and medical but may be more for cosmetic reasons. Apparently docking is more prevalent in the USA. Manx cats come in every color and pattern and hair length. As mentioned above, the long haired Manx is called the Cymric by some Registries.

The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) do not accept the pointed or Himalayan pattern. Helmi’s photographs provide the best illustration of appearance. Please click on the thumbnails for more detail on the appearance. Other than the lack of a tail the outstanding feature is the fact that, more so than normal, the back legs are longer than the front. That accounts for the posture in some of the photographs. Manx cats have stocky cobby bodies.

Health – manx cat health problems

Note: Manx cat breeders manage/control these health issues.

A cat’s health is the most important issue and about 60% or more of visitors to this website consider a cat breed’s health to be very important. Mutated genes sometimes don’t just cause a single change in the physical appearance of the cat. Often there are other abnormalities, which are detrimental to the cat’s health (e.g. Dwarf Cats, Bob-tail).

In this instance the mutated gene that leaves the cat without a tail also shortens the spine (this is an extension of losing the tail). This causes secondary health problems that ultimately prove fatal. The answer as usual comes down to wise and sensible breeding with the cat’s wellbeing as the center of interest.

This condition is called Manx Syndrome. It most commonly occurs when rumpy is bred to rumpy. The breeder therefore breeds from tailed Manx Cats to minimize the condition. The client is protected as the breeder will hold onto to the cat up until a time when the condition manifests itself (max 4 months after birth). This also allows Manx Cats to be socialized.

As mentioned, breeding evidence indicates that cats that are homozygous (two copies of the “defective” gene at the same locus [location on the chromosome]) die before birth. In other word the gene is lethal in homozygous form, which is potentially a desirable form as the cat would breed “true” (all offspring would be tailless). The Manx cat will never breed true because of this deficiency. Also the size of Manx litters are small as a quarter of Manx/Manx mating are lost.

The M gene’s presence is not solely demonstrated in the shortened tail. Its effect is present throughout the vertebral column of Manx cats and elsewhere. The M allele disrupts the normal development of the caudal neural tube during the growth of the embryo2. Here is a list conditions caused by this allele:

Area of body

Defect

Upper spine (towards head)

Individual vertebra are slightly shortened

Lower part of spine

Decrease in number and fusion of vertebra

Sacral Bone

Badly developed

Pelvic Bone

badly developed

Spinal cord

Some cases of Spina Bifida. This is a congenital defect of the spine due to a defective vertebra

Bowel

Occasional “bowel stoppage” due to a narrow anal opening. This is caused by the nerve supply being disrupted by the loss of the sacral cord segment2.

Spine

Sometimes terminates too short causing various problems such as hind leg paralysis.

It would seem that a number of kittens are born with severe disabilities, which the cat breeder will have to euthanize. On this basis the Manx cat as a breed is not in my opinion viable and I am surprised that this cat is registered with the CFA, TICA and FIFe (this is only my view of course).

One last health issue. Manx cats can as a result of spinal developmental deformities suffer from constipation and fecal incontinence -see below.

Manx cats – Updates 18-10-08 – some more detail5: The Manx gene can affect these areas of the body resulting in abnormalities.Spina Bifida This is a malformation of the vertebrae and the spinal cord because of the nonfusion of the neural tube and vertebrae arches at the sacrococcygeal junction. This could cause the cat to suffer from the following:-

Fecal incontinence (due to be able to close the anus)

Urine incontinence may also be present

Megacolon

Constipation

Hind limb weakness

Hind limb incoordination

Hopping rather than running

Other spinal cord defects and brain abnormalities have been reported.

Atresia ani. This is a disorder of the anus. It is also called imperferate anus. A membrane covers the anal opening. The sphincter muscle is intact but could be weak and there is a nerve supply. Symptoms are no feces, abdominal extension and bulging perineum and tenesmus. It is resolved through surgery.

Rectal prolapse Straining to pass feces can cause rectal prolapse. This is when the walls of the rectum protrude through the anus and are visible. It can treated and should be treated quickly to minimize the degree of treatment required.

Pyoderma
This is a puss filled skin disease. The dimple for a tail is apparently susceptible to this disease. The dimple should be kept clean. If it develops the hair should be clipped and antibiotic cream and astringent (a chemical that constricts body tissue) applied.

Sometimes Manx cats can suffer from arthritis due to the shortened tail. These cats sometimes (routinely perhaps) have their tails docked (cut off)4.

Good jumper due to powerful hind quarters and they like high vantage points. The tail is a balancing tool so without one the strong hind legs compensate1.

Medium sized

Slow developers

Hind legs noticeably longer than front legs

Good hunter (probably used as a mouser in days gone by). They are still used it seems for that purpose4.

Note: a tailless cat is not automatically a Manx Cat – there is a genetic difference between the Manx and the Domestic Tailless Cat

There is a local variety of bobtail cats that are like the Manx and which are found in and around Cape Breton, Nova Scotia. This is about 500 miles north east of Maine, USA, the home of the Maine Coon cat. These tailless cats are called the Cape Breton Bobtail. They are less cobby than the Manx.

I have picked these on the basis that they have a good presence on the internet (as at late 2007 – things change, some of these links may become broken in time despite checks). This indicates that they have been around for a reasonable time at least. Please check out “on the ground”. These links open in a new window.

Karello Manx
This breeder located in rural Pennsylvania, USA. Concerned breeder. Google Page Rank for site. No Alexa rank (low traffic relatively) for website. Ranked top of Google for Manx Cat search. Looks good. Good views on docking of tail.

Vagary Mews Manx
Located in North Carolina, USA. Website is Alexa ranked and it is Google Page ranked. First page of Google listing.

Dey Dream Manx
Once again this website came up on page one of Google. Small cattery. Manx specialists. Located in Central New Jersey, Eastampton, NJ 08060.

Briar-Brae Cattery – this cattery’s website no longer exists it seems and therefore perhaps they have closed (at Feb 2016)
Listed page 3 on Google search. No Alexa listing but claim to be in business of breeding Manx cats since 1961. Located in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Google page ranked.

Titania Cattery – Champion Manx Cats
Located here (plus directions) Take I-80, I-81, or the Pennsylvania Turnpike NE Extension Rte. 476 to Wilkes Barre. Listed page 3 Google. No Alexa rank (low traffic). White Website. Update 16th April 2012. I have received a report from a visitor to this site that this breeder was good but is no longer and that the cats are kept in very poor conditions. The kittens bought by this person were not socialised and they suffered from Manx Syndrome. This cattery is therefore not recommended unless counter reports come to light.

Notes:

“Founder Effect” means that the effect of creating (“founding”) a new population from a small number of founding original cats of the breed.

Credit: weretable

The word “penetration” in genetic terms describes the proportion of individuals who demonstrate the physical characteristics of the mutated gene in comparison to the number of individuals who carry the mutated gene. So high penetration means a high proportion of Manx Cats have short or no tail when they have the tailless gene.

Hi, I am 70-years-of-age at 2019. For 14 years before I retired at 57, I worked as a solicitor in general law specialising in family law. Before that I worked in a number of different jobs including professional photography. I have a longstanding girlfriend, Michelle. We like to walk in Richmond Park which is near my home because I love nature and the landscape (as well as cats and all animals).

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Comments

Manx Cats — 16 Comments

“They will look like “any other cat” more or less so will be less valuable to the breeder. ” Nonsense. “Longies” are not only valuable, but necessary to the breeder. Without them, one could not successfully breed the Manx. One of the parents must be a longie when breeding, it is very possible for the queen to produce nothing but deformed litters, or when line breeding or breeding rumpy to rumpy the dreaded spina bifida. I have to litter mates, brother and sister, one stumpy and one long tailed. Anyone familiar with the breed cares not whether their cat is tailed or not, because the breed is so different than other cats, with or without a tail. Manx are also notorious for “barking”, and not the chirp that every cat makes when they see a bird, but an actual huff sound, an explosive and short vocalization I have never witnessed or heard of in other breeds. It truly sounds like a dog’s bark. One of my other Manx, sadly missed- would bark at the door just as a protective canine would.

My Bobbi was dumped in my driveway,cold and pregnant.She was about 1 yr old when she found us & had some incontinence when she slept.Now she is 6yrs old and this year has developed frequent UTIs, causing urinary incontinence. Vet started her on daily antibiotics saying this will probably be needed for life.After some research I started her on 2 different supplements, “Tinkle Tonic”& Uromaxx(given 2 times daily)& it works!Now she goes months before getting a UTI.Her son Samson has no issues and is a big teddy bear.Loves his belly rubbed & his toes tickled. Bobbi is a tuxedo and Samson is all black with a few white hairs in his left ear

Hi Tracy. You can search online or perhaps the best thing is to contact the Cat Fanciers Association if you live in America or The International Cat Association. They have lists of breeders. Good luck.

can someone help me I have tried contacting other Manx website/owners. I have a rumpy manx but I question my second cat I just got who is now 4 mon and I was told she is a manx (stubby 2″ tail) she does have the temperament, loves to fetch (even returns), LOVES to bounce high, has a very soft meow, easily leash trained…there’s a lot of similarity but she just doesn’t look like my 9 yr manx… she is quite sender, appears to have longer legs but I am not sure if its because she is still a kitten and needs to grow but I just question if she is… could you help me?

Hi Tammy. Thank you for commenting. The trouble is I don’t thinl it’s possible to say that a cat is of a certain breed simply from appearance. A genetic mutation which causes very short tails in cats is not that uncommon. The Manx cat is one example and it was turned into a cat breed in the late 1800s but before that moment the Manx cat was a random bred cat living on the Isle of Man. Some people use the phrase “Manx cat” to describe a cat with a very short tail or almost no tail at all. That is technically incorrect because a Manx cat, by Western standards, should have a pedigree and be registered with a cat association. It depends how you want to use the phrase “Manx cat”.

From my perspective you’re beautiful rather slender cat with a 2 inch tail is exactly that and not necessarily a Manx cat. A clue is in the story of how you came to adopt her. Are you saying you bought her from a breeder but don’t believe the breeder or adopted her from a shelter or an individual who is not a formal breeder?

I am sure you know that in the West you need a pedigree to prove a cat is a genuine purebred cat of any breed. In Eastern Europe going East the cat fancy is less well developed or more of less non-existant in some countries i.e. Turkey where the real Turkish Angora is.

In fact the whole issue of cat breeds is very complicated because the Western cat fancy has created breeds that are not faithful to the original.

Google me! I list on Trade Me NZ, it is like e-bay! also http://www.catbreeders.co.nzhttp://www.catfancy.com and The Mighty Manx cat on Facebook. Love your page! Curious if any Manx breeders in California as I am visiting in Oct this year. Kindest Regards Holly Breeding since 2006

Thanks for the wonderful information on this wonderful breed of cat. I feel I need to respond to the comments regarding Titania Cattery. I got a wonderful male Cymric from this breeder who is the best cat ever. He is the most social, loving well behaved cat I have ever owned. I am in the process of buying 2 more manx kittens from the owner – Marilyn Dale. I would not hesitate to buy from her and in fact she was the only one I would consider buying any Manx from. Although I have not visited her cattery – She is in Pennsylvania and I am from Colorado – I KNOW from our many conversations that she is an impeccable breeder who loves those cats and treats them like family. She has been breeding Manx for 20 plus years and has never had any cats with Manx Syndrome. Her veterinarian can attest to her impeccable reputation as a fine breeder. She is accutely aware of the pain and suffering caused by innappropriate manx breeding just to produce a show quality cat. She puts her heart and soul into her animals, that I know for a fact. I believe the comment regarding the kittens being unsocialized and having manx syndrome are malicious comments by a jealous breeder. The kittens are in the house with her and the others and she doesn’t let them go before they are ready. So how could this person claim they are not socialized and have manx syndrome? I have no other association with Marilyn Dale other than my interest in Manx cats. You may contact me at 303-567-0170 and I will be happy to talk to anyone about my own experience. I await the arrival of my two kittens from Titania Cattery with the utmost of confidence. Mary Thompson

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